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The Two Ways[a]

10 Hear, my son, and receive my words,
    and the years of your life shall be many.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 4:10–19 A central metaphor of the poem is “the way.” The way of wisdom leads directly to life (vv. 10–13); it is a light that grows brighter (v. 18). The wise are bound to shun (vv. 14–17) the dark and violent path of the wicked (v. 19). Singleness of purpose and right conduct proceed from the heart of the wise as from the source of life (vv. 23–26), saving them from destruction on evil paths (4:27; 5:21–23). As in 1:8–19 and 2:12–15, the obstacles to the quest are men and their way. Elsewhere in chaps. 1–9, the obstacle is the foreign woman (2:16–19; chap. 5; 6:20–35; chap. 7; 9:13–18).

11 For by me your days will be multiplied
    and the years of your life increased.(A)

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27 Fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(A)

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